Riverboat Ron has been docked.Ron Rivera admitted his flailing team needed to have a sense of urgency this week, but Carolina’s head coach lacked urgency when the Panthers had a chance to put the Falcons away on Sunday.After snapping out of a slumber that lasted for more than three quarters, the Panthers offense finally started rolling in the fourth.Quarterback Cam Newton, who completed just 17 of his first 30 passes for 156 yards and two interceptions against the worst pass defense in the NFL, suddenly turned a switch. He hit on five of his next six throws, piling up 136 yards and two touchdowns. But after his final completion — a 17-yarder to receiver Kelvin Benjamin with less than two minutes to go — Newton had to take his foot off the gas.”Coach calls the plays. I just go out there and manage the game,” Newton said afterward. “I’m not going to question his play calling. I’m not going to question anything because if we would have won that football game, none of these questions would be lingering.”But the Panthers didn’t win, so questions need to be asked and they will linger into the bye week.Trailing 19-17, the Panthers were set up at the Falcons’ 32-yard-line after the Newton-to-Benjamin completion. The next three plays looked like this:
- DeAngelo Williams run up the middle for one yard; Atlanta timeout at 1:35.
- Newton run to the right side for four yards; Atlanta timeout at 1:31.
- Jonathan Stewart run up the middle for a loss of one yard; Atlanta timeout at 1:26.
Instead of going for the knockout while the Falcons were on their heels, the Panthers didn’t even throw a punch. Three plays, no passes, four yards gained.”If we tried for another first down and threw an incompletion the clock stops. There are a lot of things that go into it. I made the decision that I felt was best at that point in the game,” Rivera explained.”We forced them to use timeouts. We ran what we felt were good runs. If we get the first down, great, we are closer. If not, they use all three timeouts. We make the field goal. We kickoff, and now they don’t have any timeouts.”But even with the three-rushes strategy, the Falcons still would have had about 80 seconds to try to go back down the field for a game-winning field goal. Of course, it never got to that point because kicker Graham Gano hooked his 46-yard attempt wide left.”I just missed the kick. I could stand here and make excuses, but I’m not that type of man. I just missed the kick,” Gano said.”I know the fans are disappointed, the team’s disappointed, but I don’t think there’s anybody more disappointed than I am right now.”You could say Gano, who was 18-for-20 this season before that attempt, should have made the kick. You can look back at the first three quarters and find plenty of other lost opportunities as well. But it’s also fair to wonder why Riverboat Ron wasn’t sailing this Sunday.
BlackBlueReview he’s off making new commercials
BlackBlueReview he’s off making new commercials
BlackBlueReview not sure. Probably wherever the defense went.
BlackBlueReview not sure. Probably wherever the defense went.
BlackBlueReview idk where he went, but I can tell you where I wish JR would send him. #theunemploymentline
BlackBlueReview idk where he went, but I can tell you where I wish JR would send him. #theunemploymentline
BlackBlueReview were you surprised on 3rd and 5 they were passing? Why not run and try set up manageable 4th down? Play calls off all day
BlackBlueReview were you surprised on 3rd and 5 they were passing? Why not run and try set up manageable 4th down? Play calls off all day
BlackBlueReview to retirement
BlackBlueReview to retirement
In some ways I feel bad for the guy. He really does seem like a good dude and a good teacher/coordinator. But man I’ve seen to many games where cam puts us up in the fourth only for them to play soft on defense and play not to loose. I know that injuries and free angency were rough on us this year but something has got to change.
In some ways I feel bad for the guy. He really does seem like a good dude and a good teacher/coordinator. But man I’ve seen to many games where cam puts us up in the fourth only for them to play soft on defense and play not to loose. I know that injuries and free angency were rough on us this year but something has got to change.
BlackBlueReview do you think gettlemen will fire Rivera?
BlackBlueReview do you think gettlemen will fire Rivera?
BlackBlueReview The insight and specifics were on point in regards to the play calling! U0001f44d
BlackBlueReview The insight and specifics were on point in regards to the play calling! U0001f44d
BlackBlueReview I haven’t noticed many audibles from Cam lately, is he not given that freedom?
BlackBlueReview I haven’t noticed many audibles from Cam lately, is he not given that freedom?
RyanMcleod83 BlackBlueReview No, Ryan, the organization needs to fire Gettleman for this stink of a team we have.
RyanMcleod83 BlackBlueReview No, Ryan, the organization needs to fire Gettleman for this stink of a team we have.
MichaelHachi529 BlackBlueReview I disagree gettlemen gambled like he did last year this year it back fired
MichaelHachi529 BlackBlueReview I disagree gettlemen gambled like he did last year this year it back fired
MichaelHachi529 BlackBlueReview it’s Marty hurney’s fault he has him in this cap mess in the first place
MichaelHachi529 BlackBlueReview it’s Marty hurney’s fault he has him in this cap mess in the first place
The current ingredients going into the Panthers this year, is almost enough to guarantee you over zealous fans a nice big portion of “below average humble pie”, again….
The current ingredients going into the Panthers this year, is almost enough to guarantee you over zealous fans a nice big portion of “below average humble pie”, again….
A few more words on Cam – Capri’s? Hindsight is 50/50? Dude, wear want you want to the games, but bring a duffle bag with your change of clothes for after your next loss and the post game press conference, like how about some old ratty clothes that represent the bum you are…
A few more words on Cam – Capri’s? Hindsight is 50/50? Dude, wear want you want to the games, but bring a duffle bag with your change of clothes for after your next loss and the post game press conference, like how about some old ratty clothes that represent the bum you are…
It’s obvious that we’re tankin!
It’s obvious that we’re tankin!